Mango Zucchini Pecan Bread

My own twist on a classic recipe. Caution: It may be addicting!

 

 

Mango Zucchini Pecan Bread

Makes 2 loaves

Ingredients

2 cups grated zucchini (about 1 1/2 large zucchinis)
1 cup diced mango
1 cup oil
1 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
3 cups flour
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine zucchini, mango, oil, buttermilk, eggs, and sugars. Add vanilla and mix until well blended.
2. In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients together then add into mango/zucchini mixture. Beat well.
3. Gently stir in pecans
4. Split batter between 2 greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 for about an hour or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes then remove and cool thoroughly on wire rack.

Bon appétit!
xo Heather

Balsamic Caramel French Toast

I wanted to make something special for my mom for Mother's Day so I chose this recipe from my French Toast cookbook that I got in Paris. She loved it! However because I had to get everything done in time for church at 9am and my memory card was almost full from a wedding the night before, I didn't get to take a ton of pictures.

Pain Perdu au caramel balsamique (Balsamic Caramel French Toast)

serves 5-6

Ingredients:

12 slices of sourdough bread

2 eggs

1 1/4 cup milk

8 Tablespoons butter

For the caramel:

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup heavy cream

2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 Tablespoons pine nuts

Directions:

 1. Prepare the caramel: In a saucepan, mix sugar with 2 Tablespoons of water. Heat, stirring, until the mixture reaches a beautiful golden color. Add the balsamic vinegar and bring to a rolling boil.

2. Add the cream to the caramel and stir. When the mixture once again reaches a boil, remove from heat, mix in the pine nuts and set aside.

3. Prepare the French toast by dipping the slices of bread in mixture of beaten eggs and milk, then cook them in the melted butter (about 2 Tablespoons for every 3 slices of bread). Drizzle with caramel and serve.

Bon Appétit!

Zucchini Ricotta Crêpes

Nothing like cooking with home grown ingredients!

Zucchini Ricotta Crêpes

serves 4-6

For the crêpes:

Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:

1. Sift together flour, sugar and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs and milk together with an electric mixer. Beat in flour mixture until smooth; stir in melted butter.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 2 tablespoons for each crepe. Tip and rotate pan to spread batter as thinly as possible. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

For the sauce and filling:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 cup chopped fresh chives
3 tablespoons low-fat milk
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 zucchinis, chopped
1 small yellow squash, chopped
1 cup chopped sugar snap peas
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Stir sour cream, 1/4 cup chives, milk, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until combined. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, squash, sugar snap peas and corn and cook, stirring, until beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low; stir in ricotta, Monterey Jack, the remaining 1/4 cup chives, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook, stirring gently, until the cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
3. Fill crêpes with vegetable-cheese mixture and served topped with reserved sauce.
   
   
   Bon Appétit!

adapted from EatingWell July/August 2008

walnut raisin cinnamon rolls

Walnut Raisin Cinnamon Rolls aka "Life Changing" Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:
4 Tbsp active dry yeast
1/2 cups warm water
2 cups warm milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 tsp. salt
7 cups flour
2 eggs
2 cups brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2/3 cup raisins
2/3 cup chopped walnuts

icing:
8 oz cream cheese
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
4 Tbsp milk

directions:
Combine milk, sugar, 1 stick of butter, and salt. Heat to dissolve sugar. Cool. Add half flour and beat well. Beat in yeast, eggs, and water. Gradually add remaining flour to form a soft dough, kneading about 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise until double in size (1-2 hours). Punch down and let set 10-15 minutes. Roll out on oiled surface in a rectangle shape. Spread with remaining butter and sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and walnuts. Roll up lengthwise. Cut into 1 1/2 inch slices and place on greased pan. Cover and let rise till double (30 min-1 hour). Bake at 350 about 18 min.

For icing: Whip the cream cheese until light and smooth, gradually add about half of the sugar. Add vanilla and milk. Gradually add remaining sugar, spread over warm cinnamon rolls

piña colada quesadillas

Piña Colada Quesadillas 

serves 4-6 

Ingredients:

10-12 medium flour tortillas

1 medium pineapple, cut into squares
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 boneless, skinless grilled chicken breasts, shredded
About 2 cups grated cheese (Colby, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or mexican blend)
3/4 cup freshly torn cilantro

Directions:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Add pineapple and toss with salt and cinnamon, cooking until caramelized and golden, flipping occasionally – about 6-8 minutes. Remove pineapple and place in a bowl, then add another 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil, tossing in onions with a pinch of salt. Stir and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes, then remove from the skillet and place in the bowl with the pineapple.
Reduce the heat in the skillet to low, add another 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil. Place a tortilla down, then cover in a sprinkling of cheese, chicken, the pineapple, onions and cilantro, then add another sprinkle of cheese. Fold and cook both sides until golden. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Enjoy!